Thursday, November 27, 2008

Fear of G–d must come through Avodah

For Chabad Chassidim, it is not enough to be a G–d-fearing Jew. This fear of G–d must come through Avodah, effort. Concerning this, the Rebbe relates:

A Chossid once asked the Tzemach Tzedek to bless his son with a good memory. “He should remember everything he sees and hears when among the Rebbe and Chassidim, and automatically he will be a G–d-fearing Jew. The Tzemach Tzedek responded, “It has been already over 50 years that my grandfather (the Alter Rebbe), my father-in-law (the Mitteler Rebbe) and I have been toiling that Chassidim should be G-d-fearing through Avodah, and not automatically.”

Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 3, p. 800.

4 comments:

Anarchist Chossid said...

It seems that today, we don’t have such a danger. We can’t become G-d fearing Jews automatically even if we want to. Avoida is the only option.

Yehoishophot Oliver said...

Well, some need avodah more than others. A person who is more refined by nature and also rarely steps out of the daled amos of kedusha doesn't need the amount of avodah as one who is very coarse by nature who is regularly "sitting on the street corners." See Tanya chs. 15, 30.

chanie said...

Davka I would say that someone who never steps out of the daled amot of halacha davka needs a lot of avoda in the t'chum of bein adam l'chaveiro.

Yehoishophot Oliver said...

I said the daled amos of kedusha, not just halocho. I.e., not just learning, but receiving a refined education in middos tovos, tefilla, etc.